"Heartbreaks + Setbacks"

Any discussion of bassist/vocalist Stephen Bruner has to mention his astonishing chops, but that's likely served as a dealbreaker for Thundercat as much as a selling point. After all, the thumb-poppin', fretless corndogging of Jaco Pastorius, Flea and Les Claypool have largely formed the public's idea of what "sick bassist, bro" entails. But fortunately, "Heartbreaks + Setbacks", the first single from his forthcoming Apocalypse (out July 9 on Brainfeeder), portrays Bruner as a grounded human being with astronomic abilities.

"Heartbreaks + Setbacks" is a simply worded and deeply felt emotional plea co-written and co-produced by Flying Lotus, a collaborator as well as a kindred spirit of Bruner; here are two LA-based musical scions with seemingly limitless capabilities for creation and appreciation. Co-written and -produced by Brainfeeder's Mono/Poly as well, "Heartbreaks" contrasts the vulnerability of the lyrics with an arrangement that's pure love-- rapturous coos and horns, a demanding and rewarding rhythmic swing that's just off in a way that it takes colossal amounts of practice to get right.